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Febrile convulsions: factors and recurrence rate
1Department of Paediatrics, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Insights
Younger age, moderate fever (39-39.9°C), and being first-born increase the risk of febrile seizure recurrence in children. These factors aid in predicting future seizure risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epileptology
Background:
- Febrile seizures are common in childhood.
- Predicting recurrence risk is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing febrile seizure recurrence.
- To assess the prognostic value of these factors.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 147 children with first febrile convulsions.
- Analysis of age, pyrexia degree, birth order, and sex.
Main Results:
- Younger age at first seizure correlated with higher recurrence.
- Moderate pyrexia (39-39.9°C) increased recurrence tenfold.
- First-born children had five times higher recurrence.
- Overall recurrence rate was 29.3%; male preponderance observed.
Conclusions:
- Age, fever severity, and birth order are significant predictors of febrile seizure recurrence.
- These factors can inform risk assessment and clinical management strategies.
Abstract:
One hundred and forty-seven children admitted consecutively with their first febrile convulsion were studied to assess the influence of certain factors on the recurrence rate of seizures. The younger the age at first occurrence the more likely the recurrence rate. Those with moderate degree of pyrexia (39-39.9 degrees C) were found to be ten times more likely to have subsequent recurring convulsions compared to those with high degree of pyrexia (40 degrees C and above) or those with mild degree of pyrexia (38-38.9 degrees C). Furthermore, the recurrence rate was five times higher in first-born compared to siblings second-borne or more. The overall recurrence rate was 29.3% with the frequency varying between 1 to 2 times. A male preponderance was observed. These factors might be of prognostic value in terms of risk for recurrence.